Walgreens to pay more than $16 million to Butte, others

OAKLAND — A California judge has ordered drugstore chain Walgreens to pay $16.57 million to settle a lawsuit claiming more than 600 of its stores in the state illegally dumped hazardous waste.

The settlement announced Thursday stems from a lawsuit filed in June by district attorneys around the state, including Butte County's Mike Ramsey.

The legal action followed inspections of trash bins at Walgreens stores.

It accused the stores of illegally handling and disposing pesticides, bleach, paint, pharmaceutical waste and other items. The stores were also accused of unlawfully disposing of customer records containing confidential medical information.

Walgreen Co. spokesman Jim Graham said the company did not acknowledge any wrongdoing and settled the case to avoid protracted litigation.

He said Walgreens ships all hazardous materials are shipped to a hazardous waste disposal facility, where they are incinerated.

According to Ramsey, all eight Walgreens' stores in Butte County were involved in the lawsuit.

Under the settlement, the Butte County Environmental Health Department will receive $7,500 and the Butte County District Attorney's Office $26,250 in civil penalties and cost recovery, according to a press release from Ramsey.